Dispensing apparatus



1936; s. R: HUTCHISON DiSPENSING APPARATUS Filed July 18, 1935.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 awtowkw deoryefiliufciz son 1936- G. .Hu'rcijis'bN 2,030,004"

DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Jul 18, 1935 3 sheets-sheet s l I l l I 4 1 l i l n l Y I 127 I aeoiiyeliJ iaichisoiz reamed Feb. 4, 1936 V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I I msransl iiz fimrus George B. Hutchison, Beckley, W. Va. Application July 1a, 1935, Serial No. 32,089 13 Claims. (01. 221-146) This invention relates to adispensing apparatus particularly adapted for use in connection with grocery stores, but it is to be understood that the apparatus, in accordance with this invention 5 may be employed in any connection for which it may be found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a dispensing apparatus by means of which groceries, such as beans of various kinds,

m rice, coifee, tea, flour and the like, may be separately conducted from' suitable sources of supply and selectively discharged into a container seated upon a scale.

'A further object of the invention is to provide 35 a dispensing apparatus for the purpose aforesaid, by means of which a desired quantity of a selected commodity may be conveniently and expeditious- 1y transferred from a source of supply' to a bag or the like, and the flow of the commodity to the 20 bag instantly stopped when the desired quantityw thereof has been discharged into the bag.

A further object of the invention is to provide,

in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a dispensing apparatus for the purpose referred to includgs ing means whereby it may be suspended at any point desired, especially in a manner to have its discharged end disposed over a-scale in spaced relation to the latter.

-With the foregoing and other objects in view,

so the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more particularly described, and

as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the inven- 35 tion, but it is to be understood that changes, va-

rlations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings wherein like reference char- 4o acters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the apparatus and illustrating the adaptation thereof with respect to a series of commodity supply pipes,

25 Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the ap-.

extend laterally from the plate ll.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view in top plan of the valve controlled receiver element for the commodity supply pipes, and

Figure 10 is a detail in inverted plan.

The apparatus includes a casting constituting 5 the body part [0 thereof. The body part comprises a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed plates I l, 82 of like form and each of which is provided centrally with a series 'of superposed discharge openings. As shown by way of ex- 10 ample, each plate has four discharge openings, but it is to be understood that this number may be increased or diminished, depending upon the number of commodity conducting pipes. The openings in plate II are designated l3, l4, l5, l5. The openings in the plate l2 are indicated at I7,

I8, 19, 20, The openings l3, Id, I5 and it are arranged-respectively inopposed parallel spaced relation relative to the openings IT, l8, l9 and 20. The openings I3, l4, l5, l6, l1, l8, l9 and 20 are normally closed by spring controlled slidable valves 2|, 22, 23, 24, 25,26, 21 and 28, respectively. These valves are of like form and the construction thereof, as well as their mountings will be hereinafter referred to. 35

Integral with the outer face of plate H and registering with the openings l3,-l4, l5and I6 is a series of spaced superposed conducting pipes 29, 30, 3| and 32. Each of the conducting pipes includes an upstanding upper end part 33 and a downwardly inclined part 34 leading to plate H. The pipes progressively increase in length' from the pipe 29 to the pipe 32-. Pipes 29 to 32 Integral with the outer face of the plate l2 and register- 35 ing with the openings l1, l8, l9 and 20 is a series of spaced superposed conducting pipes 35,236, 31 and 38, respectively, and each is formed with an upstanding upper end portion 39 and a downwardly inclined lower portion 40 which extends 40 towards the plate l2. The pipes 35 to 38 progr'essively increase in length from pipe 35 to pipe 38. The pipes 35 to 38 are disposed laterally with respect to the plate I 2 and extend in an opposite direction with respect to pipes 29 to 32.: r

The plates I I, I2 have extending inwardly from the upper ends of their inner faces oppositely disposed flanges 4|, 42 (Figure l). Integral with the top of the plates II, 2 is a flat horizontally disposed plate 43 which projects laterally from I the upper ends of the plates ll, l2 and is also flush at its ends with the side edges of the plates ll, 12. The plate 43 at its center is formed with an o enin 44 and spaced forwardly of the open- 56 flanges 4|, 42. The construction of the valve 46 will be hereinafter-referred to.

Formed integral with the upper faced the plate 43 is a. flat oblong crosshead 48. The plate 43 at its center is integral with the central portion of the lower face of the crosshead 48. -'Ihe latter extends an equi-distance from each side of plate 43. The crosshead 48 is formed in one side portion thereof with a series of spaced openngs 49, 56, 5| 52. The crosshead 48 at the other side thereof is provided with a series of spaced openings 53, 54, 55, 56. Each of the said series of openings has its wall formed with an annular shoulder 51. The crosshead 48 centrally thereof has an opening 58, registering with the opening 44 and having its wall provided with an annular shoulder 59 (Figure 3). The upper ends of the pipes 29, 36, 3| and 32 are integral with the crosshead 48 and register with the openings 49, 56, 5| and 52, respectively. The upper ends of the pipes 35, 36, 31 and 38 are integral with the crosshead 48 and register with the openings 53, 54, 55 and 56 respectively.

Secured between the plates II, I2 and extending from the lower to the upper ends thereof is a wall forming member 66 which is of yoke-shape in sectional plan. Secured between the plates II, I2, arranged in spaced relation with respect to the member 66 and' extending from the lower 1 in Figure 2. Positioned against the member 6| and arranged between the forward portions of the plates II, I2 is an upstanding chute forming member 65 open at its lower end. The member 6| is arranged between the forward portions of the plates II, I2. The member 66 is arranged between .the rear portions of the plates II; I2 (Figure 6). The forward portions of the plates II, I2 are closed by a wall forming member 66 which is secured against the forward side edges 7 of the said plates I, 12 by the holdfast means 61.

The member 66 opposes the member 65 and retains the latter between the plates I I, I2. Secured to the lower ends of the plates I I I2 is a tapered outlet member 68 (Figures 2 and 3) for the chute 62. The member 65 extends below the plates II, I2 and that portion of member 65 which depends below the plates II, I2 constitutes an outlet 69 (Figure 3).

Each of the valves 2| to 28 is in the form of a rectangular slide 16 (Figures 3 and 6) formed with an opening 1| in proximity to one end thereof. The slide 16 has extending rearwardly therefrom a stem 12 surrounded by a coil controlling spring 13 interposed between the side edge .of a plate II or'I2 and a stretch 14 of a handle member 15.

14, but stretches 16 and 11. The stretch 16 is .pivotally connected, as at 18, to a support 19 The latter'not only includes the stretch stretch 14. The latter merges into the stretch 11 and carries a handle piece 86. The stretch 14 is disposed at right angles to the stretches 16, 11 and, provides for the stretches 16, 11 to extend in spaced parallel planes. The stretch 14 is anchored-to the outer end of the valve stem 12. The

' operating handles for the valves 2| to 24, inclusive, are pivotally connected with the plate I2. The operating handles for the valves 25 to 28, inclusive, are pivotally connected with the plate II. that the operating handles for the valves -2I to 24 extend laterally from the plate II and that the operating handles for the valves 25 to 28 extend laterally from the plate I2.

The valve 46 is constructed in the same manner as the valves 2| to 28, both inclusive, but it is disposed horizontally. The valve 46 has an opening 8|. a stem 82, a shifting lever 83 connected to the outer end of'stem 82 (Figures 1 and 3). The lever 83 is pivotally connected, as at 84, with the crosshead 48 and is provided with a handle piece-85 (Figure l). Interposed between the lever 83 and the plate 43 and surrounding the stem 82 is a coil controlling spring. 88. Seated'in the opening 58, as well as being mounted onshoulder .59, is a transparent conducting pipe 81 for discharging a commodity into the upper end of the chute 62: The. pipe 81 is normally closed to chute 62 by the valve 46.

The pipes 29, 36, 3|, 32, 35,.36, 31 and 38 are provided with transparent vertically disposed intake members 88,89, 96, 9|, 92, 93, 94, 95. The lower ends of said transparent intake members seat upon the shoulders of. the openings 49, 58,

With reference to Figure 1, it will be seen 5|, 52, 53, 54,55 and 56. The intake members are supported by the crosshead 48.

' Arranged above the crosshead 48 in spaced relation to the latter is a valve controlled receiver element 96 for the commodity supply pipes '91 and for retaining the transparent intake mem-.

bers of the conducting pipes in position. The element 96 consists of upper and lower oblong sections 98, 99 arranged in abutting relation. The

section 99 is formed with a series of spaced openings |66, into which extend the upper ends of the transparent intake members of the conducting pipes. The upper ends of the intake members.(Figure 2) register with the top of the section 99. The section 98 is formed with a series of upstanding collars I6I, internal shoulders I62 at the base of the collars, openings I83 for communication with the transparent intake members of the conducting pipes, and spaced pairs of oppositely disposed rabbets I64 in'its lower face. The pipe 81 extends into one of the openings 66 and the section99. Each pair of oppositely disposed rabbets I64 coacts with the upper face of the section 99 to provide a pair of guidegrooves for the reception of a. slidable controlling. valve I65. The latter has an opening I66 and a handle piece I61. The opening I66 in valve "I is normally in registry with an opening I66.

The pipes 91 extend into the collars MI and are mounted on the shoulders I62. The pipes 91 extend from suitable sources of supply.

The valves I65 provide means shutting off the supply pipes '91, if a. transparent intake member or pipe 81 becomes broken and such means permits of a new intake member or pipe 81 being substituted when a commodity supply is shut off. The element 96 is connected to the crosshead 48 by stay bolts I68 which are shouldered for the seating thereon of section 99 of element 96.

The element 96 at its front and rear has upstanding eyes I09. The plates II, I2 at their lower ends have laterally disposed eyes H0. The eyes I09, IIO are employed for coupling to the apparatus suitable suspension means therefor. The apparatus includes a telescopic discharge spout for the outlet member 69 of the chute 62. The telescopic discharge spoutis indicated at III and includes an upper sleeve II2, an intermediate sleeve H3 and a lower sleeve N41, The lower end of the outlet member 68 is rabbetted, as at I I6, (Figures 2 and 7) to receive the upper end of the sleeve H2. The upper end of the sleeve I I2 is flanged, as at I I6, and extending into the latter are the upper ends III of bow-shaped latching.

springs H3 which coact with the inner face of sleeve II3 for frictionally latching sleeve II3 to sleeve H2. The lower end of sleeve II2 has a I the springs I I8.

flange II9 against which abuts the lower end of The outer periphery of the sleeve I I2 is formed with a pair of spaced lengthwise extending grooves I 20 which terminate adjacent the upper and lower ends of said sleeve whereby stops I2I are formed (Figure 'I). The sleeve II 3 carries a pair of inwardly extending studs I22 which travel in the grooves I20 and .slidably connect sleeve II3 to sleeve H2. The

plate 43 which extends forwardly from the crosshead 48 is a combined guide and retainer member I25 (Figures 5 and 10). The member I26 is a plate-like form and has each lengthwise mar.- ginal portion of its lower face formed witha rib I21. Each rib at one end terminates into a right angularly disposed rib I23. The ribs I20 are arranged in spaced relation to provide a guide passage I29. The member I26 is formed with an opening I30 adapted to register with the opening 46. The member I26 in connection with the plate 43 forms a slide valve chamber I3I for slide valve I32 formed with an opening I33 normally registering with the opening 45. Valve I32 has a stern I34 which is arranged in passage .I29. Stem I34 is connected by a pivoted link I35 to an actuating handle I36, pivoted as at I31 with the lower face of the cross-head 48. The element 96, centrally thereof, has a forward extension I38 (Figures 3 and 9) arranged in superposed re'ation withrespect to the member I26. The extension I38 is formed with an opening I39 having its wall provided with spaced oppositely superposed rabbets that form a pair of shoulders I40, I. Extending into the opening I30 and seating on valve I32 is a vertically disposed transparent intake member I42 -for the chute 65;

The member I42 abuts shoulder I4I. Abutting shoulder M0 is the lower end of a supply pipe I43 which may be employed for supplying carbide or sugar to the chute 05. The pipe I43 is normally closed by one of the slide valves I05 to the intake member I42. The latter is normally closed to the chute 65 by the valve I32.

The transparent intake members will indicate to the operator the commodities in the various conducting pipes, as well as the commodity which is to be carried oil by the chute 65.

Thevalves 2I to 26 normally close the conductirm pipes 29 to 32 and 36 to 33. The valve 46 normally closes the member 81 to the chute 62. The valve I32 normally closes the member I42 to thechute 65.

The discharge spout III is extendible as telescopic for the purpose to compensate the different height of containers in which the commodity or commodities is or are to be discharged into.

The conducting pipes 29 to 32 and 35 to 33 are formed of upper transparent and lower opaque sections. The lower or opaque section of each oi said pipes is provided by that part of a pipe which is integral with a plate II or 12 and the crosshead. The upper or transparent section of each of said pipes is provided by one of the transparent intake members.

The plate II, as well as the plate I2, has its inner face formed with a vertically disposed groove 64 (Figure 3) extending from the lower to the upper end thereof in proximity to their rear edges. The groove 64" in plate II is intersected by the groove 63. The groove 64 in the plate I2 is intersected by the groove 64. The grooves 64* provide for a discharge of the dust which may collect in the grooves 63, 64:. The outward movement of the slide valves in the grooves 63, 64 provide for the shifting of the dust to the grooves 64 to be discharged from the bottom of the latter.

What I claim is:

' 1. In a dispensing apparatus, a plurality of upstanding downwardly inclined normally closed valve controlled seleotably opened commodity conducting pipes, a chute common to the outlet ends of said pipes, each of said pipes including a transparent intake member for viewing the commodity conducted by the pipe, a plurality of commodity supply pipes, and a combined receiver and holder structure common to said supplypipes and intake members, said structure being formed with openings for establishing communication between the supply pipes and intake members and selectable cutoffs for said supply pipes.

2. In a dispensing apparatus, a pair 01' oppositely extending sets of superposed upstanding inwardly downwardly inclined normally closed .valve controlled selectably opened commodity conducting pipes, each formed of an opaque lower section and a transparent upper section constituting an intake member, an apertured cross- *head integral with the upper ends of the lower .plpe sections and having the lower ends of the upper pipe sections seated therein, a discharge chute common to the outlet ends of said pipes, and a structure provided with means for supporting the .lower ends of commodity supply pipes. for receiving the upper ends of said intake members and for establishing communication between the supply pipes and said members, said structure being anchored to said crosshead.

3. In a dispensing apparatus, a. pair oi oppositely extending sets of superposed upstanding inwardly downwardly inclined normally closed.

valve controlled selectably opened commodity conducting pipes, each formed of an opaque lower section and a transparent upper section constituting an intake member. an apertured.

crosshead integral with the upper ends of the lower pipe sections and having the lower end oi the upper pipe sections seated therein, a discharge chute common to the outlet ends of said pipes,

I supply pipes and said members, said structure bea. structure provided with means for supporting the lower ends of commodity supply pipes, for receiving the upper ends of said intake members and for establishingcommunication between the supply pipes and said members, said structure being anchored to said crosshead, and'a lengthwise adjustable outlet nozzle depending from said chute.

4. In a dispensing apparatus, a pair of oppositely extending sets of superposed upstanding inwardly downwardly inclined normally closed valve controlled selectably opened commodity conducting pipes, each formed of an opaque lower section and a transparent upper section constituting an intake member, an apertured crosshead integral with the upper ends or the lower pipe sections and having the lower ends of the upper pipe sections seated therein, a discharge chute common to the outlet ends of said pipes, a structure provided with means for supporting the lower ends of commodity supply pipes, for receiving the upper ends of said intake members and for establishing communication between the supplypipes and said members, said structure beinganchored to said crosshead, a normally closed spring controlled closure valve for outlet end of each conducting pipe,. said valves being slidably mounted in walls of said chute, and pivoted means for selectively shifting said valves to provide for discharge from said conducting pipes into the chute. i

5. In a dispensing apparatus, a pair of oppositely extending sets of superposed upstanding inwardly downwardly inclined normally closed ,valve controlled selectably opened commodity conducting pipes, each formed of an opaque lower section and a transparent upper section constituting an intake member, an apertured crosshead integral with the upper ends of the lower chute commonto the outlet ends of said pipes,. a structure provided with means for supporting the lower ends of commodity supply pipes, for receiving the upper ends of said intake members and for establishing communication between the ing anchored to said crosshead, and selectable shiftable cutofi valves in said structure for the pp y p p s- 6. In a dispensing apparatus, a vertical discharge chute, spaced ve'rtically disposed transparent tubular members, a crosshead supporting said members, selectably opening normally closed ends of said members and for establishing communication between said members and the supply pipes, said structure being anchored to said crosshead.

7. In a dispensing apparatus, a vertical discharge chute, spaced vertically disposed transparent tubular members, a crosshead supporting said members, selectably opening normally closed valve controlled means for establishing communication between said members and chute, the valves oi said means being spring controlled and slidably connected to said chute, pivotally supported means connected to said valves for selectably shifted them to open position, a structure provided with means for supporting commodity supply pipes, for receiving the upper ends or said members andior establishing communication between said members and the supply pipes, said thevalves of said means being spring controlled and slidably connected to said chute, pivotally supported means connected to said valves for selectably shifting them to open position, a structure provided with means for supporting com-' modity supply pipes, for receiving the upper ends of said members and for establishing communication between said members and the supply pipes, said structure being anchored to said crosshead, said chute being open at its bottom, and said structure being provided with normally opened selectable shiftable cutoffs for the supply pipes.

,9. In a dispensing apparatus, a structure torming an upstanding chute provided with openings and spring controlled selectable shittable valves slidably mounted in said structure for. normally closing said openings, pivoted means arranged at the rear of said structure and connected to said valves for selectably shifting them, a crosshead integral with the top or said structure and provided with spaced openings, a set of spaced upstanding tubular transparent commodity receivin members seated at their lower ends in the openings of the crosshead, one of said members communicating with one of the openings in said structure for discharge into the upper end of said chute, commodity conducting means leading from the other of the said members tothe other of the said openings in said structure, an upper structure provided with means for supporting commodity supply pipes, for receiving the upper ends of said members and for establishing communication between said members and supply pipes, and means for anchoring said upper structure to said crosshead.

10. In a dispensing apparatus, a structure forming an upstanding chute provided with openings and spring controlled selectable shiitable valves slidably mounted in said structure for.

normally closing said openings, pivoted means arranged at the rear of said structure and connected to said valves for selectably shitting them, a crosshead integral with the top of said structure and provided with spaced openings, 9. set of spaced upstanding tubular transparent commodity receiving members seated at their lower ends in the openings of the c-rosshead, one of said .members'communicating with one of the openings in said structure for discharge into'the upper end of said chute, commodity conducting means leading from the other of the said members to the other of the said openings in said structure.

an upper structure provided with means for supporting commodity supply pipes, for receiving the upper ends of said members and for establishing communication between said members and supply pipes, means for anchoring said upper structure to said crosshead, and means carried by said upper structure and'said chute forming .ably shifting them to open position, a structure structure for coupling them to a suspension means provided with means for supporting commodity therefor.

11. In a dispensing apparatus, a structure forming an upstanding chute provided with openings and spring controlled selectable shiftable valves slidably mounted in said structure for normally closing said openings, pivoted means arsaid-openings in said structure, an upper struc-- ture provided with means for supporting commodity supply pipes, for receiving the upper ends of said members and for establishing communication between said members and supply pipes,

means for anchoring said upper structure to said crosshead, and a valve controlled commodity conducting structure connected to said chute forming structure forwardly of the chute and to said upper structure forwardly of said members and including a transparent intake member adapted .to communicate with a source of supply, the said conducting structure-being open at its lower end.

12. In a dispensing apparatus, a vertical discharge chute, spaced vertically disposed transparent tubular members. a crosshead supporting said members; selectably opening normally closed valve controlled means for establishing communication between said members and chute. the valves of said meaiis being spring controlled and slidably connected to said chute, pivotally sup-v ported means connected to said valves for selectsupply pipes, for receiving the'upper ends of said members and for establishing communication between said members and the supply pipes, said structure being anchored to said crosshead, said chute being provided with grooves for said valves, and said chute provided with means for relieving said grooves from dust on the shifting 01' said valves to normal.

13. In a dispensing apparatus. a structure said structure for discharge into the upper endof said chute, commodity conducting means leading from the other of the said members to the, other of the said openings in said structure, an-

upper structure provided with means for supporting commodity supply pipes, for receiving the upper ends of said members and for establishing communication between said members'and supply pipes, means for anchoring said upper structure to said crosshead, means carried by said upper structure and said chute forming structure for coupling them to a suspension means therefor, said chute forming structure provided with grooves for said valves, and saidchute forming structure having means for relieving the grooves from dust when the valves shift to normal.

' GEORGE R. HUTCHISON. 

